23 Oct 12th–Oct 18th, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | cONTeNTs | feeDBacK | OPiNiON | NeWs | feaTuRe | NighT+Day | culTuRe | film | cafe | music | taquerias, but this restaurant, which opened earlier in 2023 in a slick contem- porary building as part of Culdesac Tempe, starts a new chapter in their culinary journey. New Times’ food critic Dominic Armato praised their riffs on quesadillas and Caesar salad, as well as the restaurant’s asado de puerco, blue heirloom corn empanadas and the sweet salsa macha that shows up across dishes as “one of the menu’s secret weapons,” he writes. The desserts are equally impressive. The sweet corn panna cotta is a rich and surprising treat. Fruit compote adds a tartness that cuts through the sweetness from the corn. It adds up to an experience that differs from a traditional Mexican restaurant but is true to Hernandez and Holguin. The Dhaba 1872 Apache Blvd., Tempe It’s easy to know when you’ve reached The Dhaba, or even when you’ve arrived in the restaurant’s general neighborhood. The warm, enticing aroma of cooking spices forms a fragrant bubble around this Tempe classic. The restaurant serves a selection of Punjabi food ranging from snackable appetizers to hearty stews and curries. Specialties come straight from the tandoor, and each dish has an accompanying wine recommendation on the menu. For an excellent cross- section of the restaurant’s offerings, order one of the three Thali options. These sampler platters offer a veggie of the day and multiple varieties of chicken or lamb, as well as yellow veggie-studded rice, cool yogurt raita and fluffy naan. They also include a warming mug of chai plus a small sweet to end the meal. The Dhaba also serves imported soft drinks, beers and lassis in flavors including mango, rose, sweet, salty and plain. Haji-Baba 1513 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe ASU students, Tempe residents and really anyone who has spent time eating in Tempe over the past nearly 40 years will tell you Haji-Baba is an essential and iconic spot. Open since 1984, the restaurant has served Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare to generations of customers. Stop in at the small market for takeout, or grab a table in the connected dining room. Not sure what to order? Try the combination plate, a sampler that lets you taste a little of everything. The hummus is creamy and rich with tahini. The Tabooli is fresh and bright, the chicken shawarma is seasoned to perfection, and the lamb Shish Kabab is juicy, savory and satisfying. The falafel and stuffed grape leaves make for excellent meat-free options, and fresh baklava finishes everything on a superb sweet note. Hundred Mile Brewing Co. 690 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe Hundred Mile Brewing Co., as the name suggests, is first and foremost a brewery. But aside from in-house crafted beer, the Tempe spot also serves an exceptional food menu with dishes that go way beyond what one might expect of a classic brewpub. Yes, there are burgers and sand- wiches to pair with a pint. But they’re massive, juicy, balanced in flavor and endlessly filling. There are fresh salads studded with golden beets and sesame- crusted ahi tuna. At dinnertime, there are short ribs with stout demi-glace and a salmon bowl with green tea jasmine rice. The space itself is open and bright with a breezy patio and indoor-outdoor bar. Pair a fresh and hearty meal with a cocktail or one of the rotating beers on tap. We’re partial to the Solar Flower Kolsch, a crisp and refreshing sip. If you can’t choose just one dish at The Dhaba, order one of the Thali options. (Photo by Tirion Boan) >> p 25
